New Delhi,Nov 18,TEN Network | Three months after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan-based terrorist groups have managed to infiltrate nearly 135 of their men into the Valley, as per the latest assessment by central agencies. The number, sources said, is less than last year’s when as many as 143 terrorists entered the Valley from across the border.
North Block sources said majority of these infiltrations took place after August 5 –– the day J&K’s special status was removed. “Pakistan’s review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has led to reduction of terrorist activities and movement along the border between May and July but were stepped up again in August,” an official said.
Security forces had identified over 25 entry routes along the Indo-Pak border in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370. A two- to three-tier security was put in place, including an anti-infiltration obstacle system of border fencing along these routes. Apart from the first tier of security of army and BSF, village defence committees (VDCs) along the LoC and IB, police were activated and checkpoints have come up in areas around the border.
In 2018, security forces claimed to have gunned down more than 257 militants (both local and foreign) in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the home ministry, there were 328 attempts made last year by militants to enter Jammu and Kashmir from across the border, of which more than half were thwarted. (ET)
